Systems and methods for localized wireless notification

ABSTRACT

Implementations relate to systems and methods for localized notification that provide localized information to one or more mobile devices in a wireless communication system that are located in one or more geographical regions. The wireless communication system includes a localized notification server that responds to geographically-targeted broadcast requests and localized service or information requests. The localized notification server localizes components of the wireless communication system into sets of localized components that provide wireless communication service to mobile devices in the specific geographical regions. 
     In response to a request to broadcast to a target geographical region, the localized notification server identifies a set of localized components associated with the target geographical region. The localized notification server then broadcasts information to mobile devices actively serviced by the set of localized components.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §120

The present application for patent is a continuation of patentapplication Ser. No. 12/556,934 entitled “Systems and Methods forLocalized Wireless Notification” filed Sep. 10, 2009, pending, andassigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD

The present teachings relate generally to methods and apparatus forproviding localized wireless notification, and more particularly toplatforms and techniques for localizing components of a wirelesscommunication system into localized components based on geographicalregions and providing localized information to one or more mobiledevices in a specific geographical region.

RELATED ART

Advancements in wireless communication technology and mobilecommunication devices, such as the integration of camera and videorecording technology into mobile communication devices and theincorporation of e-mail and short messaging services into cellularcommunication networks, have added greater flexibility, processingpower, and communication capabilities to the already ubiquitous mobilecommunication devices. As a result, such mobile communication deviceshave become more popular in the consumer marketplace, and many consumersnow carry their mobile communication devices, such as cell phones andpersonal digital assistants, on their person most of the time and relyon these devices to take pictures and shoot videos, exchange messages intheir social network, make purchase decisions, conduct financialtransactions, and carry out other activities.

Presently, in the event of an emergency, such as terrorist attacks,school shootings, child abductions, inclement weather, major accidents,and other threats and disasters, emergency communications and broadcastsare frequently used to alert people of the emergency. For example, theEmergency Alert System is a U.S. national warning system that broadcastswarnings and alerts over radio and television in the event of anemergency that can negatively affect the health or welfare of thepublic. For another example, Reverse 911 is used in hundreds ofcommunities, businesses, and schools to allow emergency services toquickly alert, typically via land-based telephone networks, members of acommunity or organization of an emergency.

However, current emergency broadcast and alert systems have limitedreach. For instance, most office workers do not have access totelevision or radio during work hours, and thus are difficult to reachusing the Emergency Alert System. Similarly, many households no longerhave a land-based telephone at home, and thus are difficult to reachusing Reverse 911.

SUMMARY

According to the present teachings in one or more aspects, methods andapparatus for performing localized notification in one or more wirelesscommunication systems are provided, in which localized informationcontent is transmitted to one or more mobile devices located in aspecific geographical region. The localized notification system includesa localized notification server that responds to geographically-targetedlocalized broadcast requests and localized service or informationrequests. In general implementations of the present teachings, thelocalized notification server can localize components of the wirelesscommunication systems into sets of localized components that providelocalized notification service to mobile devices in correspondinggeographical regions, which can be predefined or dynamically defined.The localized components can include cellular towers, cellular sites,cellular sectors, base transceiver stations, base station controllers,mobile switching centers, wireless access points, mobile devices, andthe like. The localized notification server can also maintain lists ofmobile devices and the sets of localized components that service themobile devices.

Consistent with implementations of the present teachings, the localizednotification server can directly broadcast the information content tomobile devices in the target geographical region via a set of localizedcomponents associated with a target geographical region after receivinga request to broadcast information content to the target geographicalregion. Alternatively or in addition, after receiving a request tobroadcast information content to a target geographical region, thelocalized notification server can identify mobile devices that are beingserviced by a set of localized components associated with the targetgeographical region, and then broadcast the information content to theidentified mobile devices. Also consistent with implementations of thepresent teachings, after receiving a localized service or informationrequest from one of the mobile devices via one of the localizedcomponents, the localized notification server can identify thegeographical region in which the requesting mobile device is locatedbased on the localized component. The localized server can then transmitlocalized information based on the identified geographical region andany data provided by the requesting mobile device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate aspects of the present teachingsand together with the description, serve to explain principles of thepresent teachings. In the figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system that includes anexemplary localized notification server, according to implementations ofthe present teachings;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a mobile device,consistent with implementations of the present teachings;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a back-end of awireless communication system that includes a localized notificationserver for enabling localized notification, according to implementationsof the present teachings;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of processing performed by an exemplarylocalized notification server to enable localized notification,according to implementations of the present teachings;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of processing performed by an exemplarylocalized notification server to provide localized notification inresponse to a geographically-targeted localized broadcast request,according to implementations of the present teachings;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of processing performed by an exemplarylocalized notification server to provide localized notification inresponse to a localized service or information request, according toimplementations of the present teachings;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of processing performed by a mobiledevice to provide localized notification in response to a localizedbroadcast request, according to implementations of the presentteachings; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of processing performed by a mobiledevice to provide localized information content in response to alocalized service or information request, according to implementationsof the present teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the presentteachings, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings that form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way ofillustration specific implementations in which can be practiced. Theseimplementations are described in sufficient detail to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice these implementations and it is to beunderstood that other implementations can be utilized and that changescan be made without departing from the scope of the present teachings.The following description is, therefore, merely exemplary.

Aspects of the present teachings relate to systems and methods forproviding localized notification and information to one or more mobiledevices in a wireless communication system. More particularly, invarious aspects, systems and methods for localized notification canprovide localized information to one or more mobile devices in ageographical region via localized components of the wirelesscommunication system. The localized notification system includes alocalized notification server, as for example generally shown in FIGS. 1and 3 and described in greater detail infra, for responding togeographically-targeted localized broadcast requests and localizedservice or information requests. Prior to providing localizednotification, the localized notification server, which can be integratedin or be communicatively coupled to the wireless communication system,can localize components of the wireless communication system into setsof localized components that provide wireless communication service tomobile devices in specific geographical regions. In an implementation,the localized components can include cellular towers, cellular sites,cellular sectors, base transceiver stations, base station controllers,mobile switching centers, wireless access points, mobile devices, andthe like. In a further implementation, the localized components can belimited to components that directly communicate with the mobile devices,such as cellular towers, cellular sites, cellular sectors, basetransceiver stations, wireless access points, and the like. Thelocalized notification server can maintain or access lists of mobiledevices in the wireless communication system and the sets of localizedcomponents that service the mobile devices in one or more specificgeographical regions by, for example, providing wireless communicationservice to the mobile devices in the specific geographical regions.

The localized notification server can determine a set of localizedcomponents associated with the target geographical region prior to orupon receiving a localized broadcast request to broadcast informationcontent to a target geographical region. Next, the localizednotification server can either directly broadcast the informationcontent via the set of localized components, or can ascertain a set ofmobile devices that are being serviced by the set of localizedcomponents and then broadcast the information content to the set ofmobile devices. In further implementations, upon receiving a localizedservice or information request from one of the mobile devices via one ofthe localized components, the localized notification server can identifythe geographical region in which the requesting mobile device is locatedbased on the localized component. Based on the identified geographicalregion and data, if any, provided by the requesting mobile device, thelocalized notification system can either generate localized informationcontent or forward the localized request to a third-party service orinformation provider to acquire localized information content. Thelocalized notification system can then transmit the localizedinformation content in response to the localized service or informationrequest.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cellular system 100 comprising components thatprovide wireless communication service to mobile devices (e.g., mobiledevices 130-136). Examples of mobile devices 130-136 can include anymobile communication device, such as a cellular telephone (cell phone),a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless device or modem adaptedto operate on a wireless access network, such as a wireless accessnetwork operating using an IEEE 802.16 standard (WiMAX) or an IEEE802.11 standard (Wi-Fi), or an electronically coupled set of two or moreof these devices. For illustration and description purposes, animplementation of the localized notification system that provideslocalized notification in conjunction with cellular system 100 isillustrated in FIG. 1 and described herein. However, the localizednotification system is not limited to cellular communication systems.For example, without departing from the intended scope of the presentteachings, the localized notification system can provide localizednotification in conjunction with any existing or future-arising wirelesscommunication systems that provide wireless communication service toknown physical locations or geographical regions, such as WiMAX andWi-Fi communication systems.

Cellular system 100 can be an analog or digital communication system andcan employ one or more of several types of multiple access modulationschemes, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time DivisionMultiple Access (TDMA), or Frequency Division Modulation Access (FDMA).The components in cellular system 100 can include, for example, a basestation 140 including base transceiver stations (BTS) 142-144 and a basestation controller (BSC) 145, a network server 150 including a mobileswitching center (MSC) 152, and the like. MSC 152 can communicate withat least one BSC 145, which is shown in communication with two BTSs142-144, which are illustrated for simplicity as radio towers. BTSs142-144 can service (i.e., provide cellular communication service to)mobile devices 130-136 in cells 110-114 or sectors therein (not shown)via air interfaces 120-126. As is well known in the art, coverage areas(not shown) of BTSs 142-144 can vary in size and in shape, and each ofthe coverage areas can be sectored into, for example, two, three, or sixsectors.

BSC 145 can manage telecommunication functions associated with BTSs142-144, such as power control, call resource allocation, and mobilitymanagement functionality including, when necessary, the orchestration ofhandoffs between BTSs 142-144. MSC 158 can coordinate communicationchannels and processes, and can provide access for mobile devices130-136 to networks, such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN),integrated services digital network (ISDN), public land mobile network(PLMN), circuit switched public data network (CSPDN), packet switchedpublic data network (PSPDN), general packet radio service (GPRS)network, and the like. For simplicity only, cellular system 100 is shownhaving one base station 140, two BTSs 142-144, one BSC 145, one networkserver 150, and one MSC 152. However, cellular system 100 as shown inFIG. 1 is illustrative, and variations in configuration andimplementation may occur to persons skilled in the art.

In various implementations of the present teachings, network server 150can maintain a mobile subscriber database 154, which can include one ormore lists (e.g., registries and the like) of mobile devices serviced bycellular system 100. Mobile subscriber database 154 is shown as anindividual component of network server 150, but a portion or all ofmobile subscriber database 154 can be integrated with MSC 152. The listsof mobile devices stored in mobile subscriber database 154 can includedata associated with the mobile devices and subscribers thereof, such asthe mobile devices' device identifier (e.g., an international mobileequipment identity (IMEI) and the like), subscriber identifier (e.g., aninternational mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), a mobile subscriberintegrated services digital network number (MSISDN), and the like),current city, current or last-known location area, class of service orsubscription plan, etc.

Mobile subscriber database 154 can comprise a home location registry(HLR), a visitor location registry (VLR), and the like, or lists ofmobile devices generated from the HLR or VLR. The HLR can be used by theoperator of cellular system 100, often referred to as a serviceprovider, to maintain data associated with subscribed mobile devices.MSC 152 can communicate directly with the HLR to, for example, determineif a mobile device in cellular system 100 is authorized to place orreceive communications, i.e., whether or not the mobile device'ssubscription status is active or inactive. If the mobile device'ssubscription status is inactive, cellular system 100 can be configuredto not broadcast information to the inactive mobile device or to ignorea localized service or information request from the inactive mobiledevice.

Cellular system 100 can track the location and status of the mobiledevices 130-136 present within cellular system 100 and store thetracking information in the VLR. Upon a registration event, such aspower-on or entrance into a coverage area of at least one of BTSs142-144, a mobile device (e.g., one of mobile devices 130-136) cantransmit a registration message to base station 140 indicating itsactive presence within the coverage area, whereupon the subscriberinformation associated with the mobile device stored in the HLR can beloaded or otherwise copied into the VLR of the MSC (e.g., MSC 152)servicing the now-active mobile device. The registration information canbe stored in the VLR, where it can be used by MSC 152 to locate theactive mobile device within cellular system 100. An active but idlemobile device can periodically transmit a message to report itslocation, which can cause MSC 152 to update the active mobile device'slocation in the VLR. Further, when the active mobile device leaves thecoverage area it was previously in, its registration information can bealtered in the VLR. For example, if the active mobile device moves outof the coverage area of BTS 142 and moves into the coverage area of BTS144, the active mobile device's registration information can be changedto reflect that the active mobile device is being serviced by BTS 144and is no longer being serviced by BTS 142. If the active mobile devicemoves outside the coverage area of cellular system 100, its registrationinformation can be removed from the VLR associated with cellular system100. Thus, MSC 152 can use the VLR as a local cache to store dataassociated with active mobile devices in cellular system 100, includingthe location and status of the active mobile devices.

In various implementations of the present teachings, cellular system 100includes a localized notification server 160, which can localize thecomponents in cellular system 100 into sets of one or more localizedcomponents based on geographical regions (not shown). Localizednotification server 160 is depicted in FIG. 1 as an individual componentof cellular system 100 communicatively coupled to base station 140 andnetwork server 150 via communications links 165 and 167, which caninclude wired electrical links (e.g. a T1 or T3 line), wireless links,optical links, public or private networks, the internet, or other modesof communicative coupling. However, a portion or all of localizednotification server 160 can be integrated with other elements ofcellular system 100, such as network server 150, MSC 152, or the like,without departing from implementations of present teachings. In animplementation, components that can be localized include BTSs 142-144,BSC 145, base station 140, MSC 152, network server 150, and mobiledevices 130-136. In a further implementation, components that can belocalized can be limited to components that directly communicate withthe mobile devices, such as BTSs 142-144.

A geographical region can be defined based on, for example, a ZIP code,a district (e.g., a school district, a voting district, and the like), amunicipality (e.g., a town, a city, and the like), a county or parish, astate or province, a university or corporate campus or otherinstitutional properties, a street-delimited geographical area, apolygonal geographical area, a circular geographical area, asemi-circular geographical area (e.g., a cellular sector), ageographical area serviced by a telephone area code, a wirelesscommunication service area serviced by one or more components of awireless communication system (e.g., cellular system 100), and the like,or a combination thereof. Localized notification server 160 canpredefine a geographical region by defining the geographical regionprior to receiving a localized request. Alternatively or in addition,localized notification server 160 can dynamically define a geographicalregion upon receiving a localized request. For example, localizednotification server 160 can provide a user interface through which atarget geographical region can be selected and dynamically defined. Aswill be described in greater detail infra, for example, with respect toFIG. 4, geographical regions can be associated with one or morecomponents of cellular system 100 based on coverage area provided by thecomponents, such as one or more cells (e.g., cells 110-114) in cellularsystem 100 or sectors within the cells.

Consistent with implementations of the present teachings, localizednotification server 160 can determine a set of localized componentsassociated with a target geographical region prior to or upon receivinga localized broadcast request to broadcast information content to thetarget geographical region. Next, localized notification server 160 caneither directly broadcast the information content to the targetgeographical region via the set of localized components, or canascertain a set of mobile devices that are being serviced by the set oflocalized components and then broadcast the information content to theset of mobile devices, as will be described in greater detail infra, forexample, with respect to FIG. 5.

Also consistent with implementations of the present teachings, afterreceiving a localized service or information request from one of themobile devices via one of the localized components, localizednotification server 160 can identify the geographical region in whichthe requesting mobile device is located based on the localizedcomponent. Based on the identified geographical region and data, if any,provided by the requesting mobile device, localized notification server160 can either generate localized information content or forward thelocalized request to a third-party service or information provider (notshown) to acquire localized information content. Data provided by therequesting mobile device can include a subscriber profile or deviceinformation stored in a memory of the requesting mobile device, image orsensor data generated by the requesting mobile device, and the like.Localized notification server 160 can then transmit the localizedinformation content in response to the localized service or informationrequest, as will be described in greater detail infra, for example, withrespect to FIG. 6.

Broadcasting the information content can include transmitting theinformation content to a targeted mobile device or a set of targetedmobile devices in cellular system 100, which can be presented on avisual display or on audio speakers of the targeted mobile devices.Information content can comprise visual, auditory, or sensory content,or a descriptor of a location to make such content accessible. Forexample, the information content can be in the form of an image, text,streaming or non-streaming video, streaming or non-streaming audio, aUniversal Resource Locator (URL), a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)page, a Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) page, an Extensible MarkupLanguage (XML) document, an executable program, a filename, an InternetProtocol (IP) address, a telephone call, a pointer, or other content.The information content can be communicated to the mobile devices via acommunication protocol such as, for example, short messaging service(SMS), a standard form of telephony, electronic mail (e-mail),multimedia messaging service (MMS), enhanced messaging service (EMS),WAP push, application push (e.g., a push registry), or standard internetprotocols such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), IP, User DatagramProtocol (UDP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and File TransferProtocol (FTP).

Localized notification server 160 can directly broadcast informationcontent to a target geographical region via at least one communicationchannel selected based on the information content's format. Forinformation content in text or SMS format, localized notification server160 can instruct one or more localized components associated with thetarget geographical region to use a cell broadcast channel to cellbroadcast the information content. For information content in binaryformat, such as videos, localized notification server 160 can instructone or more localized components associated with the target geographicalregion to IP broadcast or use an IP multicast group to directlybroadcast the information content to mobile devices in the targetgeographical region. For information content in voice or audio format,localized notification server 160 can instruct one or more localizedcomponents associated with the target geographical region to use a voicebroadcast channel to directly broadcast the information content tomobile devices in the target geographical region. In an implementation,the voice broadcast channel is a one-way communication channel throughwhich information content can be pushed to mobile devices, and thusmobile devices can only receive information content via the voicebroadcast channel. For example, when mobile devices receives a voicebroadcast via the voice broadcast channel, users of those mobile devicescan conference in and listen to the voice broadcast but cannotparticipate in a two-way communication via the voice broadcast channel.

Reference will now be made to FIG. 2 to illustrate an exemplaryconfiguration of a mobile device 200 (e.g., mobile devices 130-136 asshown in FIG. 1), consistent with implementations of the presentteachings. Mobile device 200 can include at least one antenna 202 (e.g.,a transmission receiver or group of such receivers comprising an inputinterface) that receives a signal (e.g., pertaining to a mobile callinitiation or other handshake, a handshake response, a mobileapplication data transfer, a data event, data event response, handshaketermination, and so on) and a receiver 204, which performs actions(e.g., filters, amplifies, down-converts, and the like) on the receivedsignal. Antenna 202 can, for example, transmit or receive a response toa handshake request, data event request, and the like. Antenna 202 andreceiver 204 can also be coupled with a demodulator 206 that candemodulate received signals and provide them to a processor 208 forprocessing.

Processor 208 can analyze information received by antenna 202 or a userinterface 220 (e.g., a keypad, a microphone, etc.) of mobile device 200,and generate information for transmission by a transmitter 218 via amodulator 216 or for presentation via user interface 220 (e.g., adisplay screen, a speaker, etc.). Additionally, processor 208 cancontrol and/or reference one or more resources or elements of mobiledevice 200, including, for example, demodulator 206, memory 210,modulator 216, transmitter 218, user interface 220, an image sensor 250,and sensors 290. Processor 208 can also execute a runtime environment212, such as BREW™ from Qualcomm Inc., Java ME™ from Sun Microsystems,Symbian™ OS from Symbian Ltd., Flash Lite™ from Adobe Systems, WindowsMobile™ from Microsoft Corporation, iPhone™ OS from Apple Inc., Android™from Open Handset Alliance, or the like, as well as a set ofapplications 214 or other software, modules, applications, logic, code,or the like.

Mobile device 200 can include memory 210, operatively coupled toprocessor 208, to store computer-readable data (e.g., a subscriberinformation database 262 and the like) and computer-executable softwareinstructions (e.g., runtime environment 212, set of applications 214,and the like). The instructions can be executed to configure processor208 to control and/or perform, for example, the functions of userinterface 220, image sensor 250, sensors 290, and other modules ofmobile device 200. The instructions can also be executed to configureprocessor 208 to store and/or retrieve data in subscriber informationdatabase 262. Subscriber information database 262 can store and providebasic information associated with mobile device 200 and its subscriber,such as a device identifier, a subscriber identifier, an MSISDN, or thelike. In an implementation, subscriber information database 262 can alsostore and provide additional information associated with the subscriber,such as the subscriber's medical profile, dietary restrictions,preference for receiving information content, and the like. Memory 210can comprise one or more of a solid state memory (e.g., read-onlymemory, random access memory, flash memory, and the like), a magnetichard drive, an optically-readable medium such as a compact disc (CD) ordigital video disc (DVD), and the like.

Mobile device 200 can include image sensor 250, which can be anyelectronic device capable of generating image data and can be built intomobile device 200. For example, image sensor 250 can comprise either acharge coupled device (CCD) sensor or a complementarymetal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, and a set of optical lenses toconvey a light pattern onto the sensor and thereby generate the imagedata. In operation, a user can point image sensor 250 in a generaldirection of a target, and image sensor 250 can generate image dataafter capturing an area covering the target. Mobile device 200 can alsoinclude the capability to detect the location, position, orientation,movement, and/or other contextual data associated with mobile device200. The detection and identification of the location or position ofmobile device 200, for example, can be supplemented using variouspositioning services, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS),Assisted GPS (A-GPS), base station triangulation or trilateration, theEuropean Galileo position system, or other positioning or locationservices or techniques. The detection and identification of theorientation or movement of mobile device 200, for example, can beperformed using various sensors, such as built-in sensors 290,including, for example, a GPS unit, an accelerometer, a gyroscope,and/or other orientation and movement detection sensors or techniques.Mobile device 200 can also include other types of sensors, such as atemperature sensor, that can provide other types of contextual data.

Reference will now be made to FIG. 3 to illustrate an exemplaryconfiguration of a back-end 300 of cellular system 100, including basestation 140, network server 150, and localized notification server 160,which can facilitate and/or participate in providing localizednotification, consistent with implementations of the present teachings.Back-end 300 can include base station 140 with a receiver 310 thatreceives one or more signals from mobile devices (e.g., mobile devices130-136 as shown in FIG. 1) through receive antennas 306 and via airinterfaces (e.g., air interfaces 120-126), and a transmitter 322 thattransmits one or more signals modulated by modulator 320 to the mobiledevices through transmit antennas 308 and via the air interfaces.Receiver 310 can receive information from receive antennas 306 and canfurther include a signal recipient (not shown) that receives feedbackdata related to an un-received or indecipherable data packet.Additionally, receiver 310 is operatively associated with a demodulator312 that demodulates received information. A processor 314 can analyzedemodulated symbols and information provided by demodulator 312.

Processor 314 further couples to a memory 316 that can store one or moreapplications 318 that facilitate and/or participate in remotecommunication between the mobile devices, network server 150, and/orlocalized notification server 160. For instance, applications 318 caninclude a primary application configured to initiate a handshake andsend data event requests (e.g., related to diagnostic information, dataanalysis, and so on) to a recipient application operating on the mobiledevices. Alternatively, applications 318 can include a secondaryapplication that can receive a handshake request and authenticate aninitiating application on the mobile devices. Applications 318 canfurther include rules for generating and/or verifying identifiers thatidentify applications 318 to a corresponding application on the mobiledevices or vice versa, or an increment of such identifiers identifying aparticular round-trip communication. Further, the rules can specifypolicies for re-transmitting un-acknowledged transmissions,re-initiating handshake requests and/or responses, and terminating ahandshake, or the like. Consequently, applications 318 can engage inmobile communication with one or more applications (e.g., set ofapplications 214 as shown in FIG. 2) resident upon the mobile devices,and/or any other suitable activity related to performing the variousactions and functions set forth herein.

Back-end 300 can include localized notification server 160 that operatesin conjunction with network server 150 as described supra, for example,with respect to FIG. 1, and base station 140 to enable and providelocalized notification. Localized notification server 160 can include aprocessor 360 and a memory 362, which includes one or morecomputer-readable medium that is operatively coupled to processor 360and can store instructions to be executed and data to be transmitted,received, processed, and the like. Processor 360 can be a generalpurpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array(FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processorcan be a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, processor 360 can beany conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or statemachine. Processor 360 can also be implemented as a combination ofcomputing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, aplurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunctionwith a DSP core, or any other such configuration. For example, processor360 can include a localization processor, a localized responseprocessor, and the like. Memory 362 can comprise one or more of a solidstate memory, a magnetic hard drive, an optically-readable medium suchas a CD or DVD, and the like, and can store localized notificationsoftware 364, a localized components database 366, and a geographicalregions database 368.

Instructions stored in localized notification software 364 can beexecuted to configure processor 360 to enable or perform localizednotification to the mobile devices in response togeographically-targeted localized broadcast requests and localizedservice or information requests. Instructions stored in localizednotification software 364 can be executed to configure processor 360 toadd, update, or delete tuples in localized components database 366 andgeographical regions database 368 by, for example, extracting data fromor cross-referencing relevant databases in network server 150 or othercomponents of cellular system 100, extracting data from orcross-referencing relevant databases in other wireless communicationsystems (e.g., WiMAX and Wi-Fi communication systems), and providing auser interface for a user to view or to manually add, update, or deletetuples.

In an implementation, geographical regions database 368 can store andprovide defined geographical regions within coverage areas provided bycellular system 100. Geographical regions database 368 can localizecomponents of cellular system 100 by associating the definedgeographical regions with one or more components of cellular system 100based on coverage areas provided by the components. Geographical regionsdatabase 368 can also localize components of other wirelesscommunication systems that provide wireless communication service to thedefined geographical region, by associating the defined geographicalregions with one or more components (e.g., wireless access points) ofthe wireless communication systems based on coverage areas provided bythe components. Further, geographical regions database 368 canassociate, to one or more of the defined geographical regions, theidentification and/or level of authorization of one or more users (ortheir mobile devices) that are authorized to broadcast informationcontent to those defined geographical regions.

Localized components database 366 can store data pertaining to thelocalized components in cellular system 100 and their associated definedgeographical regions. Localized components database 366 can also storedata pertaining to the localized components in other wirelesscommunication systems and their associated defined geographical regions.The localized components stored in localized components database 366 canbe further indexed based on their associated defined geographicalregions. Thus, upon receiving a request to broadcast information contentto a target geographical region, localized notification server 160 canefficiently determine which of the localized components providescoverage area in the target geographical region. Further, upon receivinga request for localized service or information from one of the mobiledevices via one of the localized components, localized notificationserver 160 can identify at least one defined geographical region fromwhich the mobile device is making the request.

In one implementation, base station 140, network server 150, localizednotification server 160, and components therein can reside at differentphysical locations and be communicatively coupled via communicationlinks. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, network server 150 can bephysically resident at a location managed by a cellular telephonecompany that also manages base station 140. Meanwhile, localizednotification server 160 can physically reside at a different location,such as, for example, an emergency broadcast center (e.g., an EmergencyAlert System source station and the like), an emergency servicesprovider (e.g., a police station, a fire station, a hospital, and thelike), a service directory (e.g., mobile Yellow Pages, Zagat Survey, andthe like), a content provider, a marketing provider, a media provider,or other provider or source of information content to be delivered tomobile devices in cellular system 100. In another implementation,network server 150, localized notification server 160, and componentstherein can reside at the same physical location. For example, networkserver 150 and localized notification server 160 can both be physicallyresident at a location managed by a cellular telephone company that alsomanages base station 140. Thusly arranged, localized notification server160 can provide an interface (e.g., a web page or application, awireless interface, and the like) so that an emergency broadcast center,an emergency services provider, a service directory, a content provider,a marketing provider, a media provider, a mobile device, or otherprovider or source of information content can access the functionalityof localized notification server 160.

According to implementations, localized notification software 364 caninclude a search engine that locates and provides relevant informationcontent in response to localized service or information requests fromthe mobile devices. The search engine can perform a crawl of informationcontent databases (not shown) and/or other computer-readable datastorage medium (not shown) coupled to localized notification server 160to locate and index information content stored therein prior to or whileproviding localized notification. Thus, the search engine can locaterelevant information content by accessing the index in response to thelocalized requests. Accordingly, localized notification server 160 candetermine what information content to deliver to the mobile devicesand/or how to deliver the information content, such as the form of theinformation content and the communication channel or protocol, etc.,based on the localized service or information requests and any dataprovided by the requesting mobile devices.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of processing 400 performed by alocalized notification server (e.g., localized notification server 160as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) to enable and facilitate localizednotification in a wireless communication system (e.g., cellular system100), according to implementations of the present teachings. Thelocalized notification server can perform processing 400 to predefine ageographical region prior to responding to geographically-targetedlocalized broadcast requests or localized service or informationrequests. Alternatively or in addition, the localized notificationserver can perform processing 400 to dynamically define a geographicalregion while responding to localized requests. In 410, the localizednotification server can define geographical regions in coverage areasprovided by the wireless communication system and can store the definedgeographical regions in a geographical regions database (e.g.,geographical regions database 368). In an implementation, the localizednotification server can define geographical regions by extracting datafrom relevant databases in a network server (e.g., network server 150)or other components of the wireless communication system. In a furtherimplementation, the localized notification server can provide a userinterface for a user to define new geographical regions or modifydefined geographical regions, and can cross-reference relevant databasesin the network server or other components of the wireless communicationsystem to ensure the validity of the user-defined geographical regions.As described supra, a geographical region can be defined based on, forexample, a ZIP code, a district, a municipality, a county or parish, astate or province, a university or corporate campus or otherinstitutional properties, a street-delimited geographical area, apolygonal geographical area, a circular geographical area, asemi-circular geographical area, a geographical area serviced by atelephone area code, a wireless communication service area serviced byone or more components of a wireless communication system, and the like,or a combination thereof.

In 420, the localized notification server can determine one or morecomponents of the wireless communication system that provide wirelesscommunication service in one or more of the defined geographical regionsbased on, for example, coverage area provided by the components, such asone or more cells (e.g., cells 110-114) in cellular system 100 orsectors within the cells. Alternatively or in addition, localizednotification server 160 can determine one or more components of anon-cellular wireless communication system that provide wirelesscommunication service in the defined geographical regions, such aswireless access points of WiMAX and Wi-Fi communication systems. Thelocalized notification server can extract data from or cross-referencerelevant databases in the network server or other components of thewireless communication system to make that determination.

Next, in 430, the localized notification server can localize componentsof the wireless communication system by associating the definedgeographical regions with the components that have been determined toprovide wireless communication service in the defined geographicalregions. The localized notification server can store the localizedcomponents and their associated geographical regions in a localizedcomponents database (e.g., localized components database 366). Thelocalized components stored in the localized components database can beindexed based on their associated geographical regions, which enablesthe localized notification server to efficiently determine which of thelocalized components provide coverage area in any of the definedgeographical regions stored in the geographical regions database. Asdescribed supra, in an implementation, the localized components caninclude cellular towers, cellular sites, cellular sectors, BTSs, BSCs,MSCs, wireless access points, mobile devices, and the like. In anotherimplementation, the localized components can be limited to componentsthat directly communicate with the mobile devices, such as cellulartowers, cellular sites, cellular sectors, BTSs, wireless access points,and the like.

In 440, the localized notification server can determine whether or notto add new or modify defined geographical regions. If the determinationin 440 is YES, then processing 400 can return to 410 so the localizednotification server can add new or modify defined geographical regionsin coverage areas provided by the wireless communication system. If thedetermination in 440 is NO, then processing 400 can terminate or remainin 440 until the localized notification server decides to add new ormodify defined geographical regions.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of processing 500 performed by thelocalized notification server to provide localized notification inresponse to a localized broadcast request, according to implementationsof the present teachings. Consistent with implementations of the presentteachings, the localized notification server can initiate processing 500upon receiving a request, in 510, to broadcast information content. Thelocalized broadcast request can include, for example, a targetgeographical region, information content to be broadcasted, anidentification of the requestor, a preferred and/or a secondarycommunication channel or protocol, a number of broadcasts, a timeschedule or interval for the repeated broadcasts, and the like. Thelocalized notification server can define the target geographical regionbased on one or more defined geographical regions stored in thegeographical regions database. Alternatively or in addition, thelocalized notification server can dynamically define the targetgeographical region based on information provided in the localizedbroadcast request. For example, the localized notification server canprovide a user interface through which the requestor can select a targetgeographical region while generating the localized broadcast request.

In an implementation, the localized notification server can provide auser interface that allows authorized users to make ageographically-targeted localized broadcast request. In a furtherimplementation, the localized notification server can provide localizednotification to a target geographical region in response to receiving amobile device-initiated localized broadcast request from a user or amobile device authorized to broadcast to the target geographical region.Prior to processing the localized broadcast request, the localizednotification server can authenticate the requestor by verifying that therequesting user or mobile device is authorized or has a sufficient levelof authorization to broadcast the information content to the targetgeographical region. The localized notification server can authenticatethe requesting user or mobile device based on, for example, anidentification (e.g., a name or unique identification of the user, aunique identification of the mobile device, or the like) and/or at leastone security token (e.g., a password, an electronic signature, abiometric input, or the like) provided by the requesting user or mobiledevice.

The localized broadcast request can also include filter attributes, suchas a priority level, a category or type of the broadcast, a displaytime, time to live, and the like. For instance, a localized broadcastrequest intended to alert students at a university of a reportedshooting on the university's campus can designate the university campusas the target geographic region, include the time and location of theshooting in the information content, identify the campus policedepartment as the requestor that made the localized broadcast request,specify that the information content be sent as SMS messages, set thenumber of broadcasts to three to increase the probability that thestudents' mobile devices receive the broadcasted information content,and indicate a very high level of priority and a category of“life-threatening emergency.” For another instance, a localizedbroadcast request intended to alert drivers near or approaching thescene of a major automobile accident can designate a street-delimitedarea near the scene of the accident as the target geographic region,include the location of accident and a suggested detour around theaccident in the information content, identify the state highway policeas the requestor that made the localized broadcast request, specify thatthe information content be sent as a voice message, set the number ofbroadcasts to one to minimize distractions to the drivers, and indicatea medium level of priority and a category of “traffic alert.” The abovelisting of exemplary localized broadcast requests are for illustrationpurposes only and are not meant to limit the present teachings in anyway.

In 520, the localized notification server can ascertain a set of one ormore localized components in the wireless communication system thatprovide localized notification service in the target geographicalregion. The localized notification server can ascertain the set oflocalized components by accessing the localized components database todetermine which of the localized components provide localizednotification service in the target geographical region. In animplementation, the localized notification server can determine thecommunication capability of the set of localized components, such as,for example, the localized components' capability to broadcastinformation content simultaneously to an expected or actual number ofactively serviced mobile devices using the preferred and/or secondarycommunication channels or protocols specified in the localized broadcastrequest. If the set of localized components are determined to lack thecapability to handle the localized broadcast request using the preferredand/or secondary communication channels or protocols, the localizednotification server can change the communication channel or protocolbased on the localized components' communication capability.

Next, in 530, the localized notification server can determine whether ornot to keep track of mobile devices actively serviced by the set oflocalized components at or around broadcast time based on the localizedbroadcast request or other factors, such as the capability and capacityof the wireless communication system and components therein. Thelocalized notification server can keep track of actively serviced mobiledevices by, for example, generating and storing a list of the activelyserviced mobile devices at or around the time the set of localizedcomponents broadcast the information content.

The localized notification server can opt to keep track of the activelyserviced mobile devices if the localized broadcast request requestsacknowledgement of receipt of the broadcast from the actively servicedmobile devices. If the localized notification server does not receiveacknowledgement of receipt from one or more of the actively serviced butunresponsive mobile devices for a threshold period of time after abroadcast, the localized notification server can repeat the broadcast tothe one or more unresponsive serviced mobile devices as described infrawith respect to 560. The localized notification server can receiveacknowledgements via a communication protocol or channel as specified inthe localized broadcast request or other communication protocols orchannels known to one skilled in the art. Different levels or types ofacknowledgement can differ in terms of user involvement required toacknowledge receipt of the broadcast. For example, a user-levelacknowledgement can request that the mobile devices' users activelyacknowledge receipt of the broadcasted information content, while adevice-level acknowledgement can request that the mobile devicesacknowledge receipt of the broadcast without requiring activeinvolvement from the users.

If the localized notification server opts to broadcast to the targetgeographical region without keeping track of the actively servicedmobile devices, processing 500 can then proceed to 540. According toimplementations of the present teachings, in 540, the localizednotification server can directly broadcast the information content viathe set of localized components associated with the target geographicalregion. For example, if the localized broadcast request specifies SMS asthe preferred communication protocol, localized notification server 160can instruct the set of localized components associated with the targetgeographical region to cell broadcast the information content via atleast one cell broadcast channel. For another example, if the localizedbroadcast request specifies that the information content is in the formof a voice message, localized notification server can instruct the setof localized components to broadcast the information content via atleast one voice broadcast channel.

Finally, the localized notification server can determine whether or notto repeat the broadcast prior to the termination of processing 500. Ifthe localized notification server opts to repeat the broadcast, thelocalized notification server can instruct the set of localizedcomponents to broadcast the information content a number of times atscheduled times or time intervals in accordance with the localizedbroadcast request. According to implementations of the presentteachings, the localized notification server can instruct the set oflocalized components to repeat the broadcast using the samecommunication channel or protocol, or the localized notification servercan dynamically adjust the communication channel or protocol byinstructing the set of localized components to repeat the broadcastusing a follow-up communication channel or protocol different fromprevious broadcast or broadcasts. The localized notification server candynamically adjust the follow-up communication channel or protocol forrepeat broadcasts based on the localized broadcast request, thecommunication capability or capacity of the set of localized components,and/or an attribute (e.g., geographical location, signal strength, etc.)of the actively serviced mobile devices.

Alternatively, if in 530 the localized notification server opts to keeptrack of the actively serviced mobile devices, processing 500 can thenproceed to 550. For example, the localized notification server can optto keep track of actively serviced mobile devices because the localizedbroadcast request requests acknowledgement of receipt from the mobiledevices. According to implementations of the present teachings, in 550,the localized notification server can ascertain a set of localizedmobile devices actively serviced by the set of localized componentsassociated with the target geographical region. In an implementation,the localized notification server can ascertain the set of localizedmobile devices by communicating with the network server to access amobile subscriber database (e.g., mobile subscriber database 154) todetermine mobile devices that are being actively serviced by the set oflocalized components.

Next, in 560, the localized notification server can broadcast theinformation content to the set of localized mobile devices that areactively serviced at that time by the set of localized components.According to implementations of the present teachings, if the localizednotification server is to broadcast to all actively serviced mobiledevices in the target geographical region, then the localizednotification server can instruct the set of localized components todirectly broadcast the information content via, for example, one or morecell broadcasts, one or more voice broadcast channels, one or more IPbroadcasts or multicast groups, or the like. However, if the localizednotification server is to broadcast only to a subset of the activelyserviced mobile devices in the target geographical region, then thelocalized notification server can instruct the set of localizedcomponents to transmit the information content only to the subset of theactively serviced mobile devices.

Finally, the localized notification server can determine whether or notto repeat the broadcast prior to the termination of processing 500. Ifthe localized notification server opts to repeat the broadcast, the setof localized components associated with the target geographical regioncan broadcast the information content a number of times at scheduledtimes or time intervals in accordance with the localized broadcastrequest. The localized notification server can instruct the set oflocalized components to repeat the broadcast using the samecommunication channel or protocol, or the localized notification servercan dynamically adjust the communication channel or protocol based onthe localized broadcast request, the communication capability orcapacity of the set of localized components, an attribute (e.g.,geographical location, signal strength, etc.) of the actively servicedmobile devices, and/or the number of acknowledgements received inresponse to a previous broadcast. The localized notification server canconvert or reformat the information content as appropriate for thecommunication channel or protocol. For example, after the set oflocalized components cell broadcast an SMS message to all activelyserviced mobile devices, the localized notification server can convertthe SMS message into a voice message and instruct the set of localizedcomponents to repeat the broadcast by broadcasting the voice message tothe actively serviced mobile devices that have failed to acknowledge tothe SMS message within a threshold period of time.

According to an implementation, subsequent to broadcasting to a firstset of localized mobile devices but prior to repeating the broadcast,the localized notification server can ascertain an updated set oflocalized mobile devices that are actively serviced at that time by theset of localized components. After ascertaining the updated set oflocalized mobile devices, the localized notification server can repeatthe broadcast to the updated set, instead of the first set, of localizedmobile devices; alternatively, the localized notification server canrepeat the broadcast only to mobile devices that have newly entered thecoverage area provided by the set of localized components since theprevious broadcast or broadcasts by, for example, repeating thebroadcast to localized mobile devices that are in the updated set butare not in the first set of localized mobile devices.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of processing 600 performed by thelocalized notification server to provide localized notification inresponse to a localized service or information request, according toimplementations of the present teachings. The localized notificationserver can perform processing 600 upon receiving a request, in 610, forlocalized service or information from a mobile device via one of thelocalized components in the wireless communication system. The localizedservice or information request can include, for example, a type ofrequest (e.g., service, information, and the like), a type of requestedservice or information, information associated with the mobile device,information associated with the subscriber, image and other datacontextual to the request, and the like.

For instance, a subscriber traveling out-of-state on a business trip canuse her mobile device to request information on local vegan restaurants.The localized information request can include, for example, thesubscriber's dietary restrictions, which can be taken into account bylocalized notification server 160 when making a recommendation of localvegan restaurants in response to the request. For another instance, thesubscriber can use her mobile device to request car towing service whenshe gets into a car accident on the business trip. The localized towingservice request can include, for example, a picture of the scene of theaccident taken using the mobile device, which can be forwarded to localcar towing companies so the companies can assess the severity of theaccident and provide price quotes accordingly. The subscriber can alsouse her mobile device to request medical services for injuries sustainedduring the accident. The localized medical service request can include,for example, the subscriber's medical profile and insurance informationstored in the mobile device, which can be forwarded to local medicalservice providers so the providers can decide whether or not to set upan appointment with the subscriber. The above listing of exemplaryrequests for localized service or information are for illustrationpurposes only and are not meant to limit the present teachings in anyway.

In an implementation, the localized notification server can determinethe subscription status of the requesting mobile device by, for example,accessing the mobile subscriber database. If the requesting mobiledevice's subscription status is inactive, the wireless communicationsystem can be configured to ignore the request and terminate processing600 with respect to the inactive mobile device.

In 620, the localized notification server can identify at least onedefined geographical region in which the requesting mobile device islocated based on the localized component through which the request iscommunicated. The localized notification server can determine that therequesting mobile device is in at least one particular definedgeographical region by accessing data associated with the localizedcomponent stored in the localized components database.

Next, in 630, the localized notification server can generate localizedinformation content in response to the localized service or informationrequest. In an implementation, the localized notification server cangenerate localized information content based on the localized request,the identified geographical region, and data, if any, provided by therequesting mobile device. For example, the localized notification servercan utilize a search engine to locate and provide relevant localizedinformation content. In another implementation, the localizednotification server can forward the localized request to a third-partyservice or information provider (not shown) to acquire localizedinformation content. For example, the localized notification server canforward the aforementioned car towing service request to car towingcompanies located within the identified geographical region. In responseto the forwarded request, the car towing companies can provide localizedinformation content such as, for example, price quotes and estimatedwait time, to the localized notification server. Finally, in 640, thelocalized notification server can transmit the localized informationcontent to the requesting mobile device in response to the localizedservice or information request. After the localized notification servertransmits the localized information content, processing 600 can beterminated.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of processing 700 performed by a mobiledevice (e.g., one of mobile devices 130-136 as shown in FIG. 1 or mobiledevice 200 as shown in FIG. 2) to provide localized information contentin response to a geographically-targeted broadcast, according toimplementations of the present teachings. In 710, the mobile device caninitiate processing 700 after receiving localized information contentfrom the wireless communication system. The mobile device can receivethe localized information content via the localized component currentlyservicing the mobile device, which can be indicated by the mobiledevice's registration information. Next, in 720, the mobile device canprocess and/or present the localized information content to a user ofthe mobile device prior to the termination of processing 700.

Consistent with implementations of the present teachings, the localizedinformation content can include filter attributes as described supra,such as a priority level, a category or type of the localizedinformation content, a display time, time to live, and the like. If themobile device is capable of processing the filter attributes, then themobile device can present the localized information content to the useronly if the localized information content's filter attributes match orsatisfy the user's filter preference stored in the mobile device. Forexample, if the user's filter preference indicates that the user hasopted to receive traffic alerts, then the mobile device can presentlocalized information content that falls under the category of trafficalerts. For another example, if the user's filter preference indicatesthat the user has opted to receive only localized information contenthaving a very high priority level, then the mobile device can presentonly localized information content indicated as having at least a veryhigh priority level but ignore any localized information content havinga lower priority level. The above listing of exemplary filter attributesis for illustration purposes only and is not meant to limit the presentteachings in any way. In an implementation, the mobile device can have adefault filter preference, which can be set, for example, to presentonly localized information content having a very high priority level. Ifthe mobile device is not capable of processing the filter attributes,then the mobile device can ignore the filter attributes, and then eitherpresent or ignore the localized information content independent of thefilter attributes.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of processing 800 performed by a mobiledevice (e.g., one of mobile devices 130-136 as shown in FIG. 1 or mobiledevice 200 as shown in FIG. 2) to provide localized information contentin response to a request for localized information or service, accordingto implementations of the present teachings. In 810, the mobile devicecan initiate processing 800 after receiving a request for localizedservice or information via a user interface (e.g., user interface 220 asshown in FIG. 2). The localized service or information request caninclude a type of request, a type of requested service or information,and information associated with the mobile device. The localized serviceor information request can further include information associated with asubscriber, image and other data contextual to the request, and thelike. For example, the mobile device can capture an image or othersensory data via its sensors (e.g., image sensor 250, sensors 290, andthe like) and include the image or sensory data with the localizedservice or information request.

Next, in 820, the mobile device can transmit the request for localizedservice or information to the wireless communication system. The mobiledevice can transmit the request via one of the localized components ofthe wireless communication system. For example, the mobile device cantransmit the request via the localized component currently servicing themobile device, which can be indicated by the mobile device'sregistration information. In 830, the mobile device can receivelocalized information content in response to the transmitted request forlocalized information or service, and can present the localizedinformation content to a user via the mobile device's user interface.Finally, in 840, the mobile device can determine whether or not toprovide a reply responsive to the localized information content. Forexample, the mobile device user can indicate a desire to reply to theperson or entity that provided the localized information content. If thedetermination in 850 is YES, then processing 800 can return to 820 sothe mobile device can receive a new request for localized information orservice information, which can be associated with the previous request.If the determination in 850 is NO, then processing 800 can beterminated.

When the implementations described herein are implemented in software,firmware, middleware, microcode, and/or program code or code segments,they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as astorage component. A code segment can represent a procedure, a function,a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a softwarepackage, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures,or program statements. A code segment can be coupled to another codesegment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information,data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments,parameters, data, or the like can be passed, forwarded, or transmittedusing any suitable means including memory sharing, message passing,token passing, network transmission, and the like. For a softwareimplementation, the techniques described herein can be implemented withmodules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform thefunctions described herein. The software codes can be stored in memoryunits and executed by processors. The memory unit can be implementedwithin the processor or external to the processor, in which case it canbe communicatively coupled to the processor via various means as isknown in the art.

The foregoing description is illustrative, and variations inconfiguration and implementation may occur to persons skilled in theart. For instance, the various illustrative logics, logical blocks,modules, and circuits described in connection with the implementationsdisclosed herein can be implemented or performed with a general purposeprocessor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but, in thealternative, the processor can be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

In one or more exemplary implementations, the functions described can beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.For a software implementation, the techniques described herein can beimplemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) thatperform the functions described herein. The software codes can be storedin memory units and executed by processors. The memory unit can beimplemented within the processor or external to the processor, in whichcase it can be communicatively coupled to the processor via variousmeans as is known in the art. If implemented in software, the functionscan be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or codeon a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes bothtangible computer storage media and communication media including anymedium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place toanother. A storage media can be any available tangible media that can beaccessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, suchtangible computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROMor other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or storedesired program code in the form of instructions or data structures andthat can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properlytermed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software istransmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using acoaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line(DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave,then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, orwireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave areincluded in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein,includes CD, laser disc, optical disc, DVD, floppy disk and blu-ray discwhere disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproducedata optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also beincluded within the scope of computer-readable media.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with theimplementations disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware,in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of thetwo. Although the method has been described by examples, the steps ofthe method can be performed in a different order than illustrated orsimultaneously. A software module can reside in RAM memory, flashmemory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, aCD-ROM, or any other form of computer-readable storage medium known inthe art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, suchthat the processor can read information from, and write information to,the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can beintegral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium canreside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a mobile device. In thealternative, the processor and the storage medium can reside as discretecomponents in a mobile device. Other resources described as singular orintegrated can in implementations be plural or distributed, andresources described as multiple or distributed can in implementations becombined. The scope of the present teachings is accordingly intended tobe limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile device, comprising: a wireless interfaceconfigured to communicate with a localized component of a wirelesscommunication system, wherein the localized component is associated withat least one geographical region; and a processor configured to receivelocalized information content via the wireless interface and present thelocalized information content, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to: receive a localized request, the request being localizedto the geographical region and comprising information associated withthe mobile device, and transmit the localized request to the localizedcomponent via the wireless interface; receive the localized informationcontent responsive to the localized request, the localized informationcontent associated with the geographical region; and present thelocalized information content.
 2. The mobile device of claim 1, whereinthe geographical region is defined by a ZIP code, a state, a county, amunicipality, a campus, a street-delimited geographical area, apolygonal geographical area, a circular geographical area, asemi-circular geographical area, a geographical area serviced by atelephone area code, or a wireless communication service area servicedby the localized component.
 3. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein thelocalized component includes at least a cellular site, a cellular tower,a cellular sector, a base transceiver station, or a wireless accesspoint.
 4. The mobile device of claim 1, further comprising: memoryconfigured to store user information, and wherein the processor isfurther configured to transmit the stored user information with thelocalized request.
 5. The mobile device of claim 1, further comprising:a sensor for acquiring contextual data associated with the localizedrequest, wherein the localized request comprises the contextual data. 6.A method for performing localized notification, comprising: wirelesslyreceiving, by a mobile device in a geographical region, localizedinformation content from a localized component of a wirelesscommunication system, wherein the localized component is associated withthe geographical region; presenting, by the mobile device, the localizedinformation content; receiving a request by the mobile device, whereinthe request is localized to the geographical region; transmitting therequest to the localized component, the request being localized to thegeographical region based on the localized component and comprisinginformation associated with the mobile device; receiving the localizedinformation content responsive to the localized request, wherein thelocalized information content is generated based on the geographicalregion; and presenting the localized information content by the mobiledevice.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: requesting anacknowledgement of receipt of the localized information content from auser of the mobile device; receiving the acknowledgement from the user;and wirelessly transmitting the acknowledgement.
 8. The method of claim6, further comprising: acquiring contextual data associated with thelocalized request, wherein the localized request comprises thecontextual data.
 9. An apparatus for performing localized notification,comprising: means for wirelessly receiving, by a mobile device in ageographical region, localized information content from a localizedcomponent of a wireless communication system, wherein the localizedcomponent is associated with the geographical region; means forpresenting, by the mobile device, the localized information content;means for receiving a request by the mobile device, wherein the requestis localized to the geographical region; means for transmitting therequest to the localized component, the request being localized to thegeographical region based on the localized component and comprisinginformation associated with the mobile device; means for receiving thelocalized information content responsive to the localized request,wherein the localized information content is generated based on thegeographical region; and means for presenting the localized informationcontent by the mobile device.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, furthercomprising: means for requesting an acknowledgement of receipt of thelocalized information content from a user of the mobile device; meansfor receiving the acknowledgement from the user; and means forwirelessly transmitting the acknowledgement.
 11. The apparatus of claim9, further comprising: means for acquiring contextual data associatedwith the localized request, wherein the localized request comprises thecontextual data.
 12. A computer program product, comprising: anon-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that causesa mobile device in a geographical region to perform localizednotification when executed by the mobile device, comprising: at leastone instruction for causing the mobile device to wirelessly receivelocalized information content from a localized component of a wirelesscommunication system, wherein the localized component is associated withthe geographical region; at least one instruction for causing the mobiledevice to present the localized information content; at least oneinstruction for causing the mobile device to receive a request by themobile device, the request being localized to the geographical region;at least one instruction for causing the mobile device to transmit therequest to the localized component, wherein the request is localized tothe geographical region based on the localized component, and comprisesinformation associated with the mobile device; at least one instructionfor causing the mobile device to receive the localized informationcontent responsive to the localized request, wherein the localizedinformation content is generated based on the geographical region; andat least one instruction for causing the mobile device to present thelocalized information content by the mobile device.
 13. The computerprogram product of claim 12, further comprising: at least oneinstruction for causing the mobile device to request an acknowledgementof receipt of the localized information content from a user of themobile device; at least one instruction for causing the mobile device toreceive the acknowledgement from the user; and at least one instructionfor causing the mobile device to wirelessly transmit theacknowledgement.
 14. The computer program product of claim 12, furthercomprising: at least one instruction for causing the mobile device toacquire contextual data associated with the localized request, whereinthe localized request comprises the contextual data.